She was the first woman, the first african american, and the youngest person at just 36 to step into the role. And how do they balance tweeting with their day job. Your taxdeductible gift will go right to work to help more children, teens, and adults share in the joy of reading and to help support the best literature in america. The national book foundations stated mission is to celebrate the best literature in america, expand its audience, and to ensure that books have a prominent place in american culture. In 2016, lisa lucas became the executive director of the national book foundation, signaling an exciting shift in the publishing world. Lisa lucas wants to make reading fun again the new york times. I had a chance to sit down with lisa lucas, their dynamic executive director, who has led the organization in a direction of growth.
Prior to joining the foundation, she served as the publisher of guernica, a nonprofit online. Im national book foundation executive director lisa lucas, and this is how i work since 1950 the national book foundation has awarded the national book award to authors such as colson whitehead. She will take over from current director harold augenbraum. The national book foundation nbf is an american nonprofit organization established to raise the cultural appreciation of great writing in america. National book foundations lisa lucas heads to miami book. As the executive director of the national book foundation, she calls herself a cheerleader for literature. Feb 10, 2016 lisa lucas, publisher of the nonprofit online magazine guernica, has been appointed executive director of the national book foundation. Bill clinton will be in attendance to honor scholastics dick robinson. When lisa lucas took over as executive director of the national book foundation in 2016, she was the youngest person ever to hold the role.
Lucas attended the university of chicago, where she studied english. How lisa lucas got everyone talking about the national. Lucas was born in new york city and grew up in teaneck, new jersey. How national book foundation director lisa lucas is making more people fall in love with books. Lisa lucas takes the reins at the national book foundation. Prior to joining the foundation, she served as the publisher of guernica, a nonprofit online magazine focusing on writing that explores the intersection of art and politics with an international and diverse focus. Lisa lucas is executive director of the national book foundation early life. And in the audience, the national book foundations executive director, lisa lucas, will be smiling, no matter who wins. Lisa lucas, executive director, national book foundation brief but. Lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation discusses book publishing with carol jenkins. Lucass father is musician reggie lucas, a grammywinning songwriter and producer. Lisa lucas, head of the national book foundation, wants.
David steinberger and lisa lucas speak onstage during the 68th national book awards at cipriani wall street on november 15, 2017 in new york city. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover lisa s connections. Lisa lucas, head of the national book foundation, wants you. If there is one thing clear to anyone speaking to lucas, it is her passion and.
Lucas s father is musician reggie lucas, a grammywinning songwriter and producer. She grew up loving books and their ability to make readers more empathetic. Lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation talks about this years national book awards and its 70th anniversary. View the profiles of professionals named lisa lucas on linkedin. But her fearless attitude and hunger to have an impact. Lucas, who carries a book with her wherever she goes, envisions a world where book awards are as closely watched as the oscars. Jan 24, 2017 in march 2016, lisa lucas took the reins at the national book foundation as its new executive director. Lisa lucas, publisher of guernica magazine, will take over as executive director of the national book foundation on march 14. Black america the world of book publishing with lisa lucas. The last time we spoke, you hadnt started in your position as executive director yet. Lisa lucas, executive director, national book foundation. In who i follow, we explore the habits of our favorite follows each month. National book foundation director lisa lucas on why books.
Lisa lucass guide to the national book awards vanity fair. As both the first woman and the first black person to hold this position, lucas is vocal about inclusivity in publishing, insisting that the word transcends race to include everyone regardless of their racial, economic, or geographic background. The national book foundation recently announced the addition of a national book award for translated literature. Each year, the organization chooses the countrys best book in four categories. Up to that point, her career had entailed working as a. Woman of the week in 2016, lisa lucas became the executive director of the national book foundation, signaling an exciting shift in the publishing world.
Dec 16, 2016 when lisa lucas, the new executive director of the national book foundation, climbed on the podium at the national book awards ceremony in november, her presence and her remarks marked a change at. Feb 10, 2016 the national book foundation on wednesday announced that lisa lucas would become the third executive director in the history of the literary organization, which presents the annual national book awards and has made recent efforts to expand its reach and visibility. Aug 03, 2016 lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation discusses book publishing with carol jenkins. Since 1950 the national book foundation has awarded the national book award to authors such as colson whitehead, william faulkner, beverly cleary, and jesmyn ward. How national book foundation director lisa lucas is making. How lisa lucas got everyone talking about the national book. In march 2016, lisa lucas took the reins at the national book foundation as its new executive director. Prior to joining the foundation, she served as the publisher of guernica magazine and the director of education at the tribeca film institute. Read the book thats not for you we all need to be reading across the lines weve drawn in our lives, says the national book foundations lisa lucas. If i can convince a small fraction of people to feel the same way that i feel about reading, she said, then ive done. We spoke with lisa lucas, executive director at the national book foundation, about the establishment of the new award and the importance of celebrating literature in translation and promoting a broader readership for it. The executive director of the national book foundation on inclusivity in publishing, genre fiction as literature and getting her uber drivers to read more. When lisa lucas, the new executive director of the national book foundation, climbed on the podium at the national book awards ceremony in november, her presence and her remarks marked a change at.
On wednesday night, the national book awards will bring together a galaxy of literature at cipriani wall street in manhattan. A little less than four years ago, she was appointed the first african american and first female publisher of guernica magazine. Sep 11, 2016 the executive director of the national book foundation on inclusivity in publishing, genre fiction as literature and getting her uber drivers to read more. Teaneck native lisa lucas heads the national book foundation.
Books make people who are not like us more human, says lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation. Lisa lucas, publisher of the nonprofit online magazine guernica, has been appointed executive director of the national book foundation. How national book foundation director lisa lucas is making more. National book foundation director lisa lucas on why books matter. Meet lisa lucas, the ultimate cheerleader for literature. When lisa lucas talks about books, it seems like she has read every volume in the world. Sep 12, 2016 lisa lucas is the head of the national book foundation. As the youngest, first female, and first woman of color to lead the national book foundation, lucas is leaving her mark in diversifying the literary. National book foundations lisa lucas favorite things 2019.
The publishing world had a lot to be excited about when it was announced that guernicas lisa lucas would be the national book foundations new executive director. National book foundations lisa lucas favorite things 2019 the. It becomes evident that shes given this a lot of thought and is clear on both the place and the potential of the program, after 70 years. Below are the highlights of that interview, and weve also included a video hosted on national book foundations website which provides a phenomenal view into the great work theyre doing on a daily basis to support books and publishing. As the youngest, first female, and first woman of color executive director of the national book foundation, lucas is leaving her mark in diversifying the literary industry.
Lisa has produced and written over 30 tv series including the popular abc series the bachelorette, work of art on bravo and the emmy winning my 1st time on nbc. Im national book foundation executive director lisa lucas. In 2016, lisa lucas became the foundations third executive director. I was just wondering why weeks like this give me a happy feeling, given that i wont get around to reading most of whats listed, but i realized that. There are what she calls thunderclap books, the blockbusters that capture the markets fancy. Lisa lucas executive director national book foundation. Beowulf sheehancourtesy of lisa lucas the national book foundation. Apr 26, 2017 when lisa lucas talks about books, it seems like she has read every volume in the world. Sep 20, 2019 i was just wondering why weeks like this give me a happy feeling, given that i wont get around to reading most of whats listed, but i realized that its just a nice, civilizing thing to celebrate great books. Beowulf sheehan when i saw you speak at rutgerscamden the other night, you brought up your hopes to expand the reach of.
Nov 15, 2017 lisa lucass guide to the national book awards the national book foundations executive director says that the increased diversity in winners in recent years is about addition. Lisa lucas is the head of the national book foundation. Joining the awards in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young peoples literature, this fifth award will honor a work of fiction or nonfiction that has been translated into english and published in the us. View lisa lucas profile on linkedin, the worlds largest professional community. For 66 years, the foundation has held the national book awards to celebrate the best of. The awards stand in the american experienceand most recently the. Lisa lucas named executive director of national book. We talked to national book foundation executive director lisa lucas about her favorite things, including glerup slippers, a corksicle water. Meet lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation. Lisa lucas takes the reins at the national book foundation kbia. As executive director of the national book foundation, she and her team are best known. The national book foundation announced wednesday that it will soon have a new leader at the helm. Lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation, discusses the organizations goals and involvement in the publishing world.
Lisa lucas, the 36yearold publisher of guernica magazine, is set to become only the third executive director in the history of the foundation, which oversees the annual national book awards. Lisa lucas, head of the national book foundation, wants you to love reading. Lisa lucas is executive director of the national book foundation. See the complete profile on linkedin and discover lisas connections. Your imagination is so alive when you are reading, says lisa lucas. Lisa lucas takes the reins at the national book foundation wksu.
This is the first time the national book foundation has added an award in two decades. If i can convince a small fraction of people to feel the same way that i feel about reading, she. A lifelong lover of books breaks ground atop the literary. We talked to national book foundation executive director lisa lucas about her favorite things, including glerup slippers, a corksicle water bottle, jade yoga mats, ikea bookcases, biologigue. Nov 18, 2019 a national book awardwinning title may not sell a billion copies, but its definitely going to be a book thats read, thats noticed, and that has an opportunity to shine. Dec 12, 2019 lisa is a blast of fresh air at the national book foundation, says editor and author rob spillman, whose path has often crossed lucass in new york.
Mar 18, 2016 lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation. Lisa lucas on the national book award for translated. Lisa lucas, executive director of the national book foundation. Nov 14, 2016 one way to bridge the political divide. Lisa lucass guide to the national book awards the national book foundations executive director says that the increased diversity in winners in recent years is about addition.
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